After a rather long weekend I only now find myself writing the match report, so you’ll forgive me if some of the finer details are brushed over. Spirits were high as we lined up against Cambridge City 4s, fresh from a winnable game the previous week that had just slipped through our fingers. Unfortunately, City proved to be a very different beast: well-organised, clinical, and on the day they managed to put five past us — including a clean strike from a short corner, a very fortunate goal from a sideline hit, and, most painfully, three from one particularly gifted player I sincerely hope never to see again.
That said, we didn’t go quietly. There were some excellent passages of play, and our first goal came from sharp passing down the right: James and Chris linked up before feeding Joe Whittaker, who calmly slotted past the City keeper from the penalty spot. We really came alive in the second half. Credit to the lads — we didn’t give up, even when 5–1 down. We pushed back, and Riccardo buried a short corner with a crisp slap into the bottom left corner. Our third came from Joe W again, pressing hard, winning the ball, and finishing with a stunner to make it 5–3.
We might have had a fourth too… if I hadn’t got in the way. Gabriel Wolff’s delightful deflection looked destined for the net until it hit me square in the ribs on the line. Sorry, lads. On that note Gabe did a shift — clever touches, sharp passing, and relentless pressure that helped drive the comeback. Well-deserved Man of the Match.
Special mention too for the skipper, who in a moment of pure ingenuity decided to defend a short corner with four players on the posts and no runners. It completely baffled the City attackers, who promptly slapped it wide. Inspired stuff. And of course Jude who has kindly donated his stick to the lost and found. 
We left the pitch feeling the scoreline was fair, but with the sense that another 10 minutes might have seen us turn it around. Promising signs all the same — onwards to the next.